Respiratory System Overview:
In the human body as well as the feline, the Respiratory System plays a vital role in distributing oxygen to the blood, which is then distributed to the rest of the body via the heart, as depicted above. The Respiratory system is composed of many organs in the feline, listed in the superior to the inferior direction; Nose/Mouth, Pharynx, Larynx, Trachea, Bronchi, and the Lungs (we will consider the Diaphragm to be an organ in the Respiratory System as well as it plays a key role in working the Lungs). The role that the Pharynx plays in the Respiratory System is to filter the air inhaled into the trachea. The job of the Larynx is to allow air to pass through the body whilst blocking off food and liquid. The Trachea carries the air to the Bronchi which distribute it evenly to each Lung. The lungs then Oxygenate the blood which is shipped back to the heart, the main goal of Respiration.
Organs of Respiratory System:
Lungs (Dorsal) Lungs (Ventral) Diaphragm Larynx (as Indicated), Pharynx (probe tip) Nose, and Mouth
Labeled in Body:
'>![]() 1: Lungs; Uses oxygen from inhaled air to oxygenate blood and send it back to the Heart.
2: Diaphragm; When the Diaphragm contracts, air is inhaled. 3: Larynx; Passes air through to the lungs, and also houses the vocal cords, giving it the common name of the Voice Box. 4: Pharynx; The Pharynx is like a divider, where it makes sure food is sent down the esophagus and not the trachea. I warms and moistens the inhaled air as well 5: Nose/Mouth; These are the entryways for the inhaled air. (See larynx picture under general organs) Video: |
What We Learned:
While dissecting the Respiratory System, we came across many new areas of knowledge. Our biggest discovery was the Diaphragm, and learning how thin it is. We both thought this was amazing considering the fact that it is tasked with inhalation. We were also surprised to feel how soft the Lungs were. We did not know that a healthy Lung is soft, and spongy like the ones we dissected. To add to that, we were surprised to see the change in coloration when the lungs were inflated, and it was interesting to feel the lungs inflating in our hands. In addition, we didn't know that there were more organs in the Respiratory System than just the Nose/Mouth, Trachea, Lungs, and Diaphragm. Learning that the Larynx and the Pharynx were important organs in the Respiratory System was intriguing to us. The Respiratory System was one of our favorite of the systems we dissected.